Rhode Island Department of State
Gregg M. Amore

State Seal

First adopted in 1664

Rhode Island adopted a State Seal shortly after receiving its Royal Charter from King Charles II. It included the state's original name, State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. However in 2020, Rhode Islanders voted to remove Providence Plantations from the State name, so the current seal says only: State of Rhode Island.

Arms of the State

First adopted in 1882

"The arms of the state are a golden anchor on a blue field, and the motto thereof is the word "Hope"." RI General Law § 42-4-1

State Flag

First adopted in 1877

"The flag of the state shall be white, five feet and six inches fly and four feet and ten inches deep on the pike, bearing on each side in the center a gold anchor, twenty-two inches high, and underneath it a blue ribbon twenty-four inches long and five inches wide, or in these proportions, with the motto "Hope" in golden letters thereon, the whole surrounded by thirteen golden stars in a circle. The flag shall be edged with yellow fringe. The pike shall be surmounted by a spearhead and the length of the pike shall be nine feet, not including the spearhead." RI General Law § 42-4-3

State Appetizer

Calamari 
Adopted on June 27, 2014

Rhode Island has the largest squid-fishing fleet on the East Coast.

State Bird

Rhode Island Red
Adopted on May 3, 1954

Rhode Island Reds lay up to 300 brown eggs a year.

State Drink

Coffee Milk
Adopted on July 29, 1993

The “cabinet,” a classic Rhode Island drink, is made by mixing coffee milk and vanilla ice cream.

State Fish

Striped Bass
Adopted on July 13, 2000

Striped Bass average 20-30 inches long and can live for 30 or more years.

State Flagship

SSV Oliver Hazard Perry
Adopted on July 2, 2018.

The SSV Oliver Hazard Perry is a Class A Tall Ship.

State Flower

Violet
Adopted on March 11, 1968

Violets are often purple and bloom in the spring.

State Fruit

Greening Apple
Adopted on June 20, 1991

Developed in Rhode Island around 1760, Greening Apples retain their sharp taste in cooking.

State Insect

American Burying Beetle 
Adopted on July 14, 2015

American Burying Beetles are on the federal Endangered Species List. Photo courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo.

State March

Rhode Island
Adopted on July 29, 1996

The State March is to the song “Rhode Island” with words and music by T. Clarke Brown.

State Marine Mammal

Harbor Seal 
Adopted on July 14, 2016

Harbor Seals can grow to six feet and weigh over 200 pounds. Photo courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo.

State Mineral

Bowenite
Adopted on May 26, 1966

Bowenite, found in northern Rhode Island, is a relative of jade.

State Sailing Education Vessel

SSV Oliver Hazard Perry
Adopted May 25, 2012.

The SSV Oliver Hazard Perry is a Class A Tall Ship.

State Song

"Rhode Island Is It for Me"
Adopted on July 29, 1996

The song entitled "Rhode Island Is It for Me," words by Charlie Hall, music by Maria Day.

State Shell

Quahaug
Adopted on June 30, 1987

Quahog shells were shaped into beads known as Wampum.

State Tartan
Adopted on July 20, 2000

The State Tartan was created by the St. Andrews Society of Rhode Island, Inc.

State Tree

Red Maple
Adopted on March 6, 1964

Red Maple leaves turn gold, purple, and red in the fall. 

State Rock

Cumberlandite
Adopted on May 26, 1966

Cumberlandite is a dark rock with white markings found throughout the state.

State Symbol of American Folk Art

The Charles I.D. Looff Carousel 
Adopted on May 28, 1985

Designed and built in 1895 by Charles I.D. Looff, this carousel is one of the few handmade carousels still in use.

State Yacht

Courageous, US-12/26 
Adopted on July 13, 2000

Courageous participated in five America's Cup regattas, winning the 1974 and 1977 races.